Ok so I realize by posting this I am potentially opening myself up to some flames but I really just need to vent this out and at this point I am so bothered by it that I am willing to accept whatever negative reactions I get.
That being said....
I am SO effing pissed and sick and tired of the some of the posts lately where the 33/34/35 weekers are actually EXCITED that they might be showing signs of labor or wanting their babies to come.
I am laying here in high risk antepartum on complete bedrest where I have been for weeks and will continue to be for weeks (hopefully) FIGHTING to stay pregnant for another day. I am on the max dose of procardia every 4 hours for contractions and am still contracting every 5-7 mins, I LITERALLY have NO cervix (length) left and in fact yesterday when they did the weekly cervical length ultrasound there wasn't even anything there for the tech measure because I am completely funneled to the external os, I am 4 cm dilated and 100% effaced (checked last night due to increased pain) I am literally a time bomb just waiting for my water to break and then that's gonna be it and I am going to have a baby. Last night SO and I sat with a neonatologist for an hour listening to all the things to expect should he be born the short term problems he will most defintely have (breathing, immature lungs, unregulated body temperature, feeding issues, infection issues), the long term problems he could have (gastric issues, heart problems, developmental issues and delays) and the problems that could kill him.
WHY?? Why are these other posters wanting their babies to come early? Why aren't they thinking of the possible what ifs and thinking about what could go wrong with a preterm delivery instead of thinking their LO is ready to "meet them"
Granted I KNOW that NOT all babies born at 34/35 weeks have issues BUT why would ANYONE even risk it? It's one thing if you can't help it and you deliver early but to actually WANT to, or being asking for "natural" induction methods, or KNOWING you are contracting and refusing to go in and get checked out or even call the doctor. This to me is all insanity!! It makes me incredibly sad for those poor LO's who NEED that extra time to grow and thrive...I just dont understand ![]()
Re: Can I vent for a second?
I agree with you completely. I have never had a premature baby and so far this pregnancy is looking like it will go to 40 weeks but I have a lot of friends who have had their babies early and seen what they go through and I would never want that for anyone.
I don't know why people would want to have a baby who may have to endure numerous surgeries through their life because they came too early and parts were not developed right, or sit in the NICU and not be able to touch your baby and then the machines go off because she stops breathing and there is nothing you can do but watch as the doctors and nurses fight to keep her alive. Thank goodness all the babies I know survived without any major problems but it was a hard time for the parents.
OP I wish you luck in keeping your baby in there as long as possible.
That is kinda how I feel. I am ready to not be pregnant and to meet my little man but I can hold out a few more weeks.
A freaking men!
I am the mom to a 34 weeker and while we got very lucky with her because she had no major health issues it was still very difficult and we did have NICU time.
I hope that your time goes fast and you will get to meet your LO when they are full term!
PS... Did the doctor mention steroids for the babies lungs?
Yes I already had two rounds, they are trying to hold off on giving me the third round for as long as they can because they said they don't want to "waste" it since the steroids only last 10 days. The "plan" is if I dilate ANY further they will adminster the steroids and if my water breaks they will hook me up to mag for as long as they can, because the mag can have neuro benefits for the baby. I have a wonderful perinatologist who is really doing everything they can but at this point it is just a wait and see situation.
I am so glad your little 34 weeker is healthy and well, thank God.
Agree with every word....
Yea, you have those few knuckle heads who are drinking jugs of antifreeze or climbing trees to "naturally induce" themselves at week 31, but i think for the most part some women are just acting like a kid waiting for Christmas... Excited and impatient, but not necessarily wanting the baby to come out early and possibly with problems. Like PP said, don't take it personally..
I'm not referring to the ones who are just making a general statement about being "excited" or "can't wait to meet my LO" or being uncomfortable. I understand that trust me BUT there have been ACTUAL posts from people asking if there was anything they could do to "naturally" induce labor at 34/35 weeks, or a post on another board (not 3rd tri) where the poster was 33 weeks and said she was contracting every 6 mins and spotting and said "she hoped that meant the baby was going to come soon" exact words...THOSE are the types of posts I was talking about
I would ask lots of questions about mag. Everyone reacts differently but definitly talk to the doctor about how it will affect you...
Good luck!
If you have not already go check out the preemie board, they are great!
I'm sorry to hear what you are going through, but I completely agree with you. Pregnancy is 40+ weeks. I hate the "I'm 37 weeks, I hope the baby comes now." Lots of growth and development can happen in 3 weeks AND that's assuming your dates are right on.
I have GD and some doctors (not mine) will induce at 38-39 weeks. I am monitored closely, but I am glad my doctor will let me go to 40 weeks before inducing. This is baby #2 and I am huge, uncomfortable, on a very restricted diet and have to poke myself 5 times a day with needles. I GET wanting to be done, but not at the developmental expense of my baby. This is the first of MANY sacrifices I'll happily make for this child.
I hope you can hang in there OP!!
I just found out today that I have early signs of preeclampsia . . . now stuck on bed rest with my fingers crossed that I can make it 3-4 more weeks. The thought that I might have to be induced before my LO is ready to come makes me very sad.
I agree and don't fully understand why people want their babies to come before they are ready.
Ok...So Im 33 weeks pregnant and made a post today because I cant get ahold of my Dr. and Im having backpain, contractions and mentrual-like cramps....I am in NO WAY excited for this. I just made a post because I dont know what to do. I want my baby to stay inside me for ATLEAST 4-5 more weeks. I am NOT excited in any way shape or form because I want my baby to be healthy. I thought my post was pretty clear about that.
If someone is 39 weeks, it wouldn't bother me if they were excited about labour starting, but 33? That's silly.
Clomid Cycle #1: 50mg = BFP
=Beautiful baby girl born May 23, 2009
TTC#2: BFP Cycle #1, no fertility meds!
I was not referring to your post nor have I seen it. Sorry if what I said offended you
Oh no, Im not offended at all! I just wanted to make clear that I do not want my little man to come early. I cant wait until he gets here but I dont want him to come now. I was actually getting nervous with all the symptoms that I was getting. I hope everything goes well for you and your baby stays put until he is perfectly ready to come out.
I don't know the situations of the women you're referring to, but maybe to give some perspective: I'm 35 weeks (in 5 minutes, woo hoo!). I've been admitted 4 times for PTL (about 2 weeks total in hospital plus countless trips for monitoring), was on mag for several days on two occasions, had two sets of steroid shots for lo's lungs (at 31 weeks and 33 weeks), I have constant (ever 1-3 minutes) contractions, but all medications have stopped working....it's been hell.
While I don't "want" lo to be a preemie and I'm fully aware of the possible complications on top of the fact that he has a heart condition that will require open heart surgery within a few days of birth, I am finally starting to breathe a sigh of relief that I've made it this far (the entire team of doctors are all "ok" with lo making his appearance whenever it happens at this point), and am allowing myself to start getting excited to meet him, instead of feeling complete fear and dread every time I feel my contractions kick in again.
I'm assuming that the other women aren't in the same position, but I also don't know that for sure. Just thought maybe I could add a little bit of a different perspective.
And OP, hang in there, I was there, and it SUCKED. The steroid shots hurt, the mag makes you feel inhuman, bed rest is miserable, but you're doing what you need to do. I hope your story ends with a happy healthy baby and mom
I agree about people in the 33/34/35 mark saying they want to have their babies. However, someone at 37 weeks well, last I checked 37 was still considered full term according to the ACOG so if someone is starting to try "natural methods" at 37 weeks I think that's fine, so long as they are aware that baby comes when baby comes.
I'm so with you on this.
I was at my birthing class and the teacher informed us that one of the couples was going into "preterm labor" and one of the girls in the class actually said, "Lucky!" Really loud in front of everyone. ARE YOU SERIOUS?! I'm pretty sure the woman going into Preterm labor at 34 weeks doesn't feel so lucky and is scared out of her mind. The teacher asked her why she said that and she was like, "Because pregnancy sucks and she actually gets to meet her baby sooner." Well Sorry honey, but even though she may get to "meet" them sooner, doesn't mean that she will be able to hold them and take them home for quite some time. Urg... just bothers me because it's such a selfish attitude.
OP, I am so sorry for your situation. I can't imagine how scary and stressful it must be. It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job of doing everything you can to get your LO earthside as healthy as possible. I also can't imagine your frustration at the thoughtless posts you've seen. Some people just don't think before they type. Some people don't have the capacity to even think about how someone in your situation might feel when they read their comments. It's sad. Anyhoo, I'm sending positive vibes your way.
I know that every situation is different, but I just wanted you to know that 26 years ago, my DH was porn prematurely at barely 32 weeks. (HELPP syndrome) He spent his first weeks of life in the NICU. Today, he is an incredibly intelligent, handsome man with no health problems. I just wanted to share a positive story of a premie that I love very much. I found that when I was going through cancer treatment, positive stories helped me keep hope in my heart.
THIS is the type of attidude I am talking about....YES being pregnant is uncomfortable and hard BUT pregnancy does not "suck" and there are millions of women who struggle with infertility who would LOVE to be pregnant and uncomfortable.
What "sucks" is watching the child that has grown inside of you for months laying in an incubator struggling to breathe and eat and regulate their temperature, what "sucks" is only being able to hold your own child for a few mins at a time because they aren't stable enough to be in your arms for that long. What "sucks" is having to take your child to numerous follow-ups and doc visits after discharge and always worrying about a new problem coming up. I don't know where attidudes like that come from but like you said they are completely selfish.
No flames from me. Those posts drive me nuts too. I'm to the point where I'm really starting to be over being pregnant, but I'll gladly take another month and a half of discomfort for her health and safety.
Sending good vibes to you. I'm sorry you have to go through this.